The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World

by Dorie Clark

We’re stuck in permanent “execution mode,” without a moment to take stock or ask questions about what we really want from life.

Long-term thinking protects us during downturns (of all kinds), because it keeps us moving toward our most important goals.

It takes courage to be a long-term thinker, and a willingness to buck the near-term consequences. But the payoff can be enormous.

There’s a great quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow that goes something like: we measure ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others measure us based on what we’ve done. This makes sense, of course. But it’s awfully frustrating when there’s a gap between what we know we can accomplish and what we’ve done up to that point.

The challenge for all of us is an inner one: to keep going when it seems like no one is paying attention or cares. And to believe that eventually the world will catch up.

I’ve come to understand what few recognize: the rate of payoff for persevering during those dark days isn’t linear. It’s exponential.

If it were easy to be patient, and easy to do the work, then everyone would do it. What I’ve come to love about patience is that, ultimately, it’s the truest test of merit: Are you willing to do the work, despite no guaranteed outcome?

The first step is understanding that the key to a meaningful life is to set our own terms for it.

Playing the long game—eschewing short-term gratification in order to work toward an uncertain but worthy future goal—isn’t easy.

To become a better, sharper, and more strategic thinker, the first step is clearing away the nonessentials.

So what can we do to make the hard decisions, say no, and create the conditions that enable the life we actually want?

What they’d like to talk about. This eliminates the need for many conversations.

How they think you can help. Some people are hesitant to state their requests clearly—often, because they’re outlandish and inappropriate.

Clearing the brush is essential for long-term thinking: we need to stop spending time on ephemera, and set our own priorities.

“Whenever you have a choice of what to do,” she told Marion, “choose the more interesting path.”

When you’re unsure of where your interests lie—or you feel like you used to know and have lost touch—go back to first principles and think about what inspired you at the beginning of your journey.

The default in our culture is to optimize for money and choose a lucrative career.

One possibility is to “optimize for interesting” and follow your curiosity.

The best time to test out new ideas is when you’re in a strong position—not when you’re in a weakened one and are desperate to find the “next thing.”

Learning, Creating, Connecting, and Reaping.

Learning. Study your field so you become knowledgeable. – Creating. Now that you have experience, give back by creating and sharing what you’ve learned. – Connecting. Begin leveling up your connections with others in your field, so you can learn from them and contribute as part of the community. – Reaping. You’re at the top of your field, and it’s time to enjoy the benefits of your hard work.

“To get an invitation, you have to give an invitation.”

Short-term networking, when you need something fast, like a job or a client.

Long-term networking, where you develop relationships with interesting people whom you admire and enjoy.

“Unfortunately, the world has given us so many bad messages about the speed of success,”

To truly become a recognized expert, it often takes at least five years of consistent effort.

You need to be excellent at what you do. But you also need at bats, because random chance means that even excellent performers will “fail” sometimes.

Test out concepts and ideas in small ways before investing fully.

Always think broadly and identify multiple paths to your goal.

To make success more likely, always put a date on the calendar and involve others in your plan.

Understand what it really takes to accomplish your goals. Too many people get discouraged that they’re not progressing faster, simply because they never took the time to ask questions or discover how long it’s taken others to succeed.

Independence. At its heart, long-term thinking is about staying true to yourself and your vision.

Curiosity. Some people are content to live their lives according to the road map that others have laid out for them, never questioning or pondering alternatives.

Resilience. Doing something new, something unique, is by definition experimental. You have no idea if it’ll work or not—and oftentimes, it won’t.